Answer: (A)
Statement-I: Correct
India has consistently advocated a “phase-down” of coal (not complete phase-out) in
global forums like COP26, reflecting its developmental priorities.
Statement-II: Correct
For a developing country like India, energy security (reliable supply) and energy equity
(affordability) are crucial alongside sustainability. Rapid elimination of coal could jeopardize
access to affordable energy.
Statement-III: Correct
Solar and wind are intermittent sources. Until large-scale storage becomes viable, coal
provides dependable baseload power, ensuring grid stability.
Link between statements:
Both Statement-II (developmental needs) and Statement-III (technical/grid constraints)
directly justify why India prefers a gradual “phase-down” instead of abrupt “phase-out”.
Hence, both II and III are correct and both explain I.

Consider the following countries:
1. Saudi Arabia
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Iran
4. Kuwait
5. Oman

Answer: (A)

Qatar is a peninsula located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, sharing
its only land border with Saudi Arabia to the south. The country is surrounded by the
Persian Gulf, with no other land connections to neighboring nations. Therefore option A
is the correct answer.

Which of the following are the indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
1. Jarawas
2. Shompen
3. Sentinelese
4. Onge
5. Konyak

Answer: (c)
The following are indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Jarawas – Indigenous to the Andaman Islands.
Shompen – Found in Great Nicobar Island.
Sentinelese – Inhabit North Sentinel Island; one of the most isolated tribes.
Onge – Indigenous to Little Andaman Island.
However:
Konyak – Not from Andaman & Nicobar; they are a Naga tribe primarily found in Nagaland
(mainland India).
Thus, only 1, 2, 3, and 4 are correct.

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: El Niño events are generally associated with a weakening of the Indian
Summer Monsoon.
Statement-II: The warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean during El
Niño disrupts the Walker Circulation, leading to suppressed rainfall over the Indian
subcontinent.

Answer: (A)
Statement-I: Correct
El Niño events are generally associated with a weakening of the Indian Summer
Monsoon, often leading to below-normal rainfall over India.
Statement-II: Correct
During El Niño, abnormal warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
weakens or shifts the Walker Circulation. This reduces convection (rising air and rainfall)
over the Indian region, resulting in suppressed monsoon rainfall.
Link between the statements:
The disruption of the Walker Circulation is the primary mechanism through which El Niño
weakens the Indian monsoon.
Therefore, Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I.

Assertion (A): Induction cooktops are generally safer and more energy-efficient than
traditional gas stoves.
Reason (R): In induction cooking, heat is generated directly inside the cookware through
eddy currents, leaving the cooktop surface relatively cool.

Answer: (A)
Assertion (A): True
Induction cooktops are generally safer (reduced risk of burns, no open flame) and more
energy-efficient (minimal heat loss) compared to traditional gas stoves.
Reason (R): True
Induction cooking works on the principle of electromagnetic induction, where eddy
currents are generated directly in the cookware, producing heat within the vessel itself. The
cooktop surface remains relatively cool.
Link between A and R:
Since heat is produced directly in the cookware, there is:
○ Higher efficiency (less heat wasted to surroundings)
○ Greater safety (cooler surface, no flame)
Thus, R correctly explains A.

Consider the following statements about the World Trade Organization:
1. The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body and is required to
meet at least once every year.
2. India was a founding member of both GATT and WTO.

Answer: (B)
● The World Trade Organization was established in 1995 via the Marrakesh Agreement, the
WTO is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between
nations.
● While the Ministerial Conference is indeed the highest decision-making body of the
WTO, it is mandated to meet at least once every two years, not every year. In the intervals
between these conferences, the General Council handles the organization's day-to-day
business. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
● India was one of the original 23 signatories to the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT) in 1947 and subsequently became a founding member of the WTO upon
its establishment on 1 January 1995. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● Therefore option B is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements about the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR):
1. It uses Uranium–Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel and liquid sodium as a coolant.
2. It converts Uranium-238 into Plutonium-239 through neutron capture and is part of
India’s three-stage nuclear programme.

Answer: (C)
● The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is a 500 MWe (megawatt electric) nuclear
reactor located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, that generates more fuel than it consumes
while producing electricity.
● The PFBR uses Uranium–Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) as its primary fuel and
employs liquid sodium as a coolant. Liquid sodium is preferred over water in fast reactors
because it does not slow down neutrons, which is necessary for the "fast" neutron spectrum.
Hence statement 1 is correct.
● The reactor is designed to convert fertile Uranium-238 (in a "blanket" surrounding the
core) into fissile Plutonium-239 through neutron capture. This process is what makes it a
"breeder" reactor, and it is the cornerstone of Stage II of India’s three-stage nuclear power
programme. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● Therefore option C is the correct answer.